Khagendra Thapa Magar turned 18 on Thursday, October 14, 2010 and was officially declared the world’s shortest man by Guiness record officials at Pokhara, Nepal.

Khagendra was measured in at 26.4 inches (67 cm) tall at a ceremony organized in his homewon, Pokhara, where he was handed certificate by Guiness officials.

Khagendra’s family had been campaigning for years to get him the crown but the request had been rejected by Guiness owing to the fact that he might still grow and hence the wait till he turned 18.

Khagendra weighs just over 12 pounds (5.5kg) and was born tiny weighing just 1.3 pounds. His father has no explanation for why he never grew taller while his younger brother is of normal height. According to his doctor he has the body of a 3-year-old. He is not just short and tiny with body structure of a child but also thinks and behaves like a child.

Khagendra is very happy and excited too as he plans to servee as a government-appointed goodwill ambassador to promote Visit Nepal Year 2011.